IPL Auction To Go Overseas; Potential Date Leaves The Franchises Concerned: Report
IPL Trophy on the auction table [X]
The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League has already created buzz among fans and followers even though it is about six to seven months away. This stir is caused by the mega auction scheduled ahead of the tournament. The fans are excited to see how the squad dynamics change during the season.
Retentions rules await confirmation from the BCCI
The BCCI has yet to confirm anything regarding the retention policy, the official purse amount for the franchises, or the RTM numbers. However, as per reports by Cricbuzz, sources within the IPL have revealed that, like last year, the venue of the auction will be in the Middle East. The auction ahead of IPL 2024 took place in Dubai, and it is expected that this time, another Gulf city like Doha or Abu Dhabi will play the host.
The report also states that Saudi Arabia, which has been investing heavily in sports lately, is also interested in hosting the event. The probable dates are expected to be around the end of November this year or in the beginning of December. However, the reports await confirmation from the authorities.
Cautious reactions from the franchises
The news has triggered cautious reactions from the franchise owners. As reported earlier by Cricbuzz, BCCI has informed the franchises of a potential delay in the announcement of the retention rule. Thus, the management and think tanks are worried that they might not get enough time to prepare for the mega auction.
According to the Cricbuzz reports, the retention rules will be announced at the end of this month. Thus, the franchises will potentially have two months to prepare for the event. Most franchisees are concerned that this might not be enough time for them to plan properly for such an important event.